Bob James - Sign Of The Times (audio)

[@gilmarasantosteodoro360]

I Love Bob James and the music

[@hotelmario510]

This is one of those songs that I could imagine playing over the end credits of the universe.

[@tomzirp4457]

Bob James: the biggest name in hip-hop

[@rakim6466]

Nope James Brown

[@breakfastplan4518]

Everyone talks about the songs that sampled this. But I dont care about that. I want to hear from people who were alive when this song was relevant because i was and it was 1981 and those were interesting days for sure.

[@tbird77]

I was born in 82 and love hearing the originals. I love hunting for samples, but always fall in love with the original songs.

[@martyemmons1859]

I read your request. Well I bought the Sign Of The Times cassette tape (1982) because I was partial to the 'boom box' so I could take this song with me wherever I went.

[@tombsower6926]

I think it was categorized as easy listening at the time

[@Thejazzfan66]

I’m glad to hear about the sampling. It’s introducing young people to music that they not have been willing to listen to.

[@CantTellYou]

I just want to hear from people who own the same or similar synths and if/how they're able to form those patches lol there are so many tasteful ones on this track alone, let alone the rest of the album, and let alone all of his many albums

[@originalallah2765]

I was on the driving on the GSP in 1981 an was listening to Cd 101.9. I didn't know anything about Bob James until I heard this classic. I had to pull over and watch the sun set while listening to this recording. Omg. What a ride. One I will never forget.

[@laquangriffith4969]

This is a true cruising song!!

[@aj3974]

Hey!!!! CD 101.9 was the best!!! I'm so appreciate to have had that station as a part of my childhood.....it really helped me to develop great taste in music at an early age!

[@sharonhill2657]

Definetly an on the road music. My brother introduced me to Bob James eons ago and I love his music.

[@sergiop9885]

Love bob James... Where r u from?

[@generodgers6019]

You said it; classic!

[@bernardogui3933]

my dad introduced me to Bob James 40 years ago! thanks dad.

[@fabianmunozag]

my dad did that as well! awesome parents

[@bernardogui3933]

Fabian Muñoz 👌👌👌

[@generodgers6019]

This reminds me of me and my 2 sons experience...

[@simonperry2122]

Me too

[@macluca69]

mine 30 years ago..Bob James and many other great musicians.. Lee Ritenour, George Benson, Grover Washington Jr. etc.. GRAZIE, PAPA ... !!!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I downloaded this song off KZbin years ago and no artist was listed. I am glad I finally found his name!

[@jair2508]

Simplesmente incrível, ouvindo em 2024, mais alguém ?

[@Tudo_e_Mais_1_pouco]

Eu...Joinville SC

[@CLOWNBOT00]

Hear that intro? Wouldn't be no Warren G without old school hits like this.

[@SoDope29]

Same with De La Soul

[@franciscosalomaofernandesd5809]

​

[@MINIMONSTYER]

Music like this has supported the game for well over 70 years

[@melvindunn2234]

Wouldn't be no rap without jazz, funk, bebop, or jazz fusion to sample.

[@KAnderson-gb1fg]

@@melvindunn2234it’s all black music to. Only difference is HIPHOP/Rap is the only genre of music invented by American black and hispanics

[@MrDJ839]

I was exposed to a rare form of RADIATION called Bob James in the mid 70's, I've never recovered "Thank God"😉🤣

[@kymCPT]

Darryl Jones legacy BJ ....12 Legacy 🔥

[@martyemmons1859]

Yup, it's chronic.

[@doncoleanoos9039]

Hip Hop owes you a lot Sir Bob. Every time I listen to this track i have goose bumps all over. Fantastic music for all time. GOD bless you for making music that lifts the soul.

[@psrpippy]

I have been looking for this song since I was in my early teens. I’m now 56. I was always under the impression it was by shakatak hence I could never find it. Thank you Google search 😂

[@martyemmons1859]

I like your determination to find this smooth Bob James song.

[@jamesrochelle383]

This takes me back to my departure from Germany just after this was released; I was barely 20 years old with the world ahead of me; now here I am at 62, still grooving to this wonderful music that motivated me to do and be better at 20!!!!

[@RebaMyers-cc2hs]

Well

[@RebaMyers-cc2hs]

Time it😅😅

[@RebaMyers-cc2hs]

Down sot

[@junsol5852]

this album reminds me of my younger days in late 70s and early 80s when jazz was the in thing in music!!! so nostalgic!!!

[@martyemmons8692]

This song is so funky I heard it played on R&B/Soul radio station. DJ's back then really appreciated good music.

[@diamondluca1]

Also, the smooth and jazz fusion back then was smoking, man how I wish humans was able to go back in time at least once out of there lifetime.

[@diamondluca1]

Exactly, these young cats chill on rap, we chilled on smooth jazz, fusion and R&B, and got down on house party music, which in the late 70s was fun party rap music, the beginning of the rap game.

[@MrBudd0y]

The days when Chuck Mangione's Feel So Good was the biggest thing on radio AKA the good old days

[@martyemmons1859]

That's how I first heard "Sign Of The Times" by Bob James. I was listening to the radio station that played the music I danced to at the coolest dance clubs. However, it took awhile to find it. The DJs on the radio never seemed to say what the name of the song was or by whoever made the song.

[@phillc]

Gary King (RIP) killer Bassline on this joint. Classic!!

[@alex_harnar_618]

There were four samples in the song: ‘Regulate’ by Warren G & Nate Dogg (1994) ------------- 1. ‘I Keep Forgetting’ - Michael McDonald (1982) (Which is the main sample for the song.) 2. ‘Sign Of Times’ - Bob James (1981) (Which is the synth riff used in the intro & at each chorus of the song.). 3. Casey Siemaszko as Charlie Bowdre in Young Guns (1988) (Which is the vocal sample in the beginning saying: “Regulators, we regulate any stealing of his property and we damn good too, but you can't be any geek off the street, gotta be handy with the steel if you know what I mean to earn your keep.”) 4. ‘Wikka Wrap’ - The Envasions (1981) (Which is where the line: “When rhythm is life & life is rhythm” in the third verse originally came from.)

[@eddiesoul4890]

You good DAMN GOOD...I Knew all those samples too ...

[@jacobwylder3113]

the best one kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJbLYZKug7mMiJI

[@joshdough1845]

a cowboy overflow of the heart, only a demo track tho

[@marcusstone1311]

De LA Soul Sampled It As Well!😉😏

[@SecondWizards]

@@joshdough1845 a subtle sample but yeah.

[@fredyg9703]

this track is fire for the soul thank you BobJ

[@Thejazzfan66]

My wife and some friends and I saw Bob James and three young players in February. I won’t say who played after that, but Bob stole the show!!

[@CantTellYou]

Who played after that lol and how did they even manage to

[@noisychamps]

Was it....Lee Ritenour? At the Portland Jazz Festival 2024? 🤔

[@b.rodclark7349]

'Keepin' The Faith' by De La Soul ('91) and 'Regulate' by Warren G. ('94)

[@theodoreturner7084]

Not regulators that was Michael McDonald's

[@b.rodclark7349]

@@theodoreturner7084 it was that as well... it's the synth line that starts the intro before the Michael McDonald sample.

[@orlandeuce6567]

I DON'T THINK SO REGULATE WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THO

[@flipgsp]

@@orlandeuce6567 You can hear the whistle from Regulators. Bob James himself talks about it.

[@laquangriffith4969]

Boy I miss those days. Song was ahead of its time. Lord my childhood was so much fun.

[@martyemmons8692]

It's 2021, and "Sign Of The Times" is still ahead of it's time.

[@phillc]

Bob, you are a MAJOR inspiration! Sending love and good vibes! Thank you for all the music! Credits * Bob James - acoustic piano, Rhodes piano, all synthesizers, horn and string arrangements, calliope solo * Rod Temperton - rhythm track and synthesizer arrangements; horn, string and vocal arrangements * Steve Khan - guitar * Gary King - bass * Major Holley - scat contrabass solo * John Robinson - drums * Leonard "Doc" Gibbs - percussion * Tabby Andriello - special effects Wild scat solo from Major Holley! Pure brilliance!

[@ronaldoredolanzillotti258]

This marvelous song reminds me of the time when we used to dance in good discotheques, left at about three in the morning and went back home fearlessly. Good late seventies and early eighties!

[@edselljr]

I would like to thank all the Rap artists, producers and all those robbers that made me realize the element of music in that elevator is Bob James

[@dre7sus]

One of my favourite Bob James joints.. So funky 💯

[@Brijett]

I love this song! I play it every morning ❤

[@AndyGabrielPowell]

Oh what an absolute classic. A much underrated standard

[@originalallah2765]

I was introduced to Bob on the Garden state Parkway in New Jersey on my way to a little small town called Red Bank. I still love Red Bank and the sign of the times. Thanks Bob.

[@rakim6466]

I was born in Red Bank! Used to love it. I hate what Red Bank has become now. This song reminds me of cruising through sea right deal, Asbury, Long Branch waterfront

[@snakeph]

This song has been playing on our local jazz radio station in the Philippines. 🇵🇭 Love it ❤

[@pensivepenguin3000]

Gloriously whimsical and spacey, with a slammin’ bass line!

[@marguritemcdonaldmusic9922]

Bob James Sign of The Times & Prince Sign of The Times Album..... Amazing Music Either Way You Slice It. 🎵 ❤️ 🎵

[@chrishawkins6535]

Brillant! funk with a sad undertone, with loyal women singing 💜

[@mintagenart]

This song put a wide smile on my face. By golly that's funky!

[@jheevaldez9955]

I miss this song Sign of the Time .Thanks for sharing

[@dwightlove3704]

Bob James one of his best efforts he also wrote the theme music for the TV show Taxi.

[@BixenteFabregas]

In fact, if you hear "The Golden Apple", it'll remind you of themes of many tv shows...

[@panab.4092]

If only I could travel back to the heavenly times when I played this very song in a loop with my friends...Beautiful memories.

[@diamondluca1]

This song takes me back to my high school days, you know when school is out, and your taking that peaceful sunny afternoon ride on the bus back to your part of town, for me, that was Buffalo, NY baby!

[@japarlneniomuhammad6152]

Got some Quincy Jones influence two great musicians

[@gustavoferreirafreak]

Como é bom ter 27 anos de idade, e apreciar obras como essa. Sou da nova geração que valoriza boa música, fui bem educado!

[@adrianoourique8474]

Demais, parabéns rapaz!! Um abraço, Rio de Janeiro, Sulacap!! Demais, ouço desde criança.

[@rogeriomelomelo6529]

Cara quanto tempo não escutava essa música 21/4/24. 16:54 🇧🇷🇧🇷👏👍🇧🇷👏👍

[@mariaresendez6855]

Wow, The Memories! Ty Bob James.

[@joemanansala6828]

Bob, I'm one of your fans for years! Your'e always one of the best in my jazz collection!

[@Tudo_e_Mais_1_pouco]

Ouvindo em 2024..show.

[@frankknight7968]

One of the jazz greats. It always makes me feel good. I first heard it in a club in Holland 40 years ago!

[@andersonlima8811]

Tocava direto (e ainda toca..) nas Rádios Antena 1 Light FM Rio e JB FM (Jornal Do Brasil) nos anos 80.. Tempo bom.. músicas excelentes como essa nunca saem de moda 😀 👆 👍 👏 🙌

[@christianchavesrodrigues4373]

Sendo que ela é de 76

[@dermevaldennis1010]

Música linda demais maravilha

[@juanjotm4821]

Oi Anderson: Eu acho que Bob James é um dos melhores musicos de jazz-fucao que existem. Gosto dele desde o ano de 1981. Muito prazer. ! A gente se ve. Obrigado pelo comentario. Tambem gosto da bossa-nova.

[@CarlosHenrique-zb8xy]

Aqui em SP toca no programa OxiDance, do Carlinhos, na 104.1FM.

[@genazinha]

Lindíssima 💞😍 Tenho boas lembranças dessa linda❤️, ainda era criança,ouvia muito

[@arthurdog3]

Bons tempos da Rádio Mundial a 860 - Essa musiquinha tocava sempre por volta das 9 da noite. Eu e a minha gata a ouvíamos juntos, no rádio, sentados ali na calçada dela. O que te faz bem hoje é o que te fará morrer de saudade amanhã.

[@dayanekelly1840]

*Bons e velhos tempos que não voltam mais...*

[@sergiop9885]

Im from south of Spain... And really I love it.. Dont know why I love it... But simply and really I love it lolol... Greetings!!

[@jmauriciosjr007]

Good times, good músics of The 80's

[@carcar97]

Oh my goddddddd. Such a good song. I’m learning the bass line now having a lot of fun with it!

[@penguiyebass]

yeah same I'm trying to learn it by ear, it's really great practice. I'm stuck on 4:09 though, do you know what he's doing there to make that sound? I'm a bit of a beginner so I'm not sure if he's using a special pedal or something

[@victoriaryan-bailey6811]

Did a media slide show project in 1982 with this great music as the background. Got my MA the next year! Thanks, Bob!

[@dermevalsouzadocarmo3239]

Love music beautiful 😍

[@coachkfan1]

This song came on in the car on my first day of drivers ed. Long time ago but coach liked it 😝

[@orlandeuce6567]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DE LA SOUL 'KEEPING THE FAITH'!!!!

[@marcos71549]

Esse músico é maravilhoso! Curto muito ele com seus teclados inconfundível também na banda Fourplay. Vale a pena conferir.

[@JohnMartinBigwood-ym2bo]

Brilliant - so much detail in one tune

[@trudywretched]

been trying to sing along with the background scat singing for years. Such a blast! wak a doo wak a doo.. .what a scream! LOL

[@michaelkirkland1929]

Dig, VERY COOL.

[@martyemmons8692]

Those women background singers are still making my imagination work overtime!

[@cehayes74]

@@martyemmons8692-Actually that’s all Patti Austin, vocal overdubs !!!

[@martyemmons8692]

@@cehayes74, seriously! Patti Austin is one of my favorite singers. "Say You Love Me" is my favorite song by her. And the songs "Razzamatazz" and "Ai No Corrida" with Quincy Jones are wonderful to listen to.

[@cehayes74]

@@martyemmons8692-Very Serious, she can sing 🎤 her butt off !!! I agree with you on those songs 🎶 you named because they’re my favorite ones as well.

[@joseramondimacali4359]

pre-breakdance transition era. this is a landmark piece together with hancock's rockit n future shock.

[@AS-wm7jm]

De La Soul brought me here amazing intro a remember this great intro with this sample, slave & Bob Marley sample...great song. Bob James amazing song

[@garetz2011]

End of 1981.

[@nenacosta2168]

Esse e o tipo de música que poderia ter sido composta hoje que ninguém duvidaria. Adoro! ❤

[@d.nardelli2727]

Amo essa música. Fez parte da minha juventude.

[@netovr1]

Grande clássico dos anos 80!

[@carlos39840]

Incrível não me canso de ouvir

[@rafamezengax]

Eu TB ... Isso é um HINOOOOOOO

[@melvinwalls1426]

Bob James is a bad White Man his Music is unique in JAZZ signs of the times i can Rock with this👍*

[@oudaak1]

wow, just wow, so much stump and soul !!! cant get enough...

[@AllanCash]

I been looking for this piece for a while, yet it's been hiding in plain sight. Great music!

[@martyemmons8692]

That music with the scat singing just sticks in the memory. It doesn't take long to remember the song.

[@taibiservent]

Clever collection of pleasant musical ideas

[@sergionogueira9019]

Essa é a mais marcante das disco anos 80. Linda demais 👏👏👏👏

[@adrianoourique8474]

Sim. Ouvir essa música e lembrar do Flamengo do Zicaoooo. Anos 80 Mengoooo

[@dsa50574]

Saudades!

[@Richadeyinka]

Sweet memories of my university days...a friend of mine was so loved BJ that he got all his albums...made me love him too.

[@alairvr]

Esse som era bom na época e ainda continua sendo top. Parabéns também pela animação!!!!

[@robertocampos995]

2020 curtindo esse clássico de 1981

[@mauriciomajorjes309]

2024

[@rafamezengax]

Isso é um HINOOOOO O. . nau me canso de ouvir ... Qualidade que o tempo não faz mais né

[@7o7-zoz97]

Back in 1982, i had just passed the GCE O level exams and newly enrolled in one of the Polytechnics and was walking about in my old neighbourhood just exploring. There were new shopping centres i haven't visited. The old village where i used to live was just ten minutes of walking distance behind me. I crossed the zebra crossing on approach to the new building and saw a small shop outside selling drinks. As i was thirsty and sweaty after all that walking in the hot sun, i stoppped by to buy corn juice drink poured into a small plastic bag and walked into the cold air of the shopping centre, sipping my favourite drink from a straw. I wasn't planning on buying anything, just wanted to see what kind of shops were in there. One of the shops was a music shop selling tapes and records; can't remember if CD was already available at the time. I went in there not really planning or looking for something, just hanging around enjoying the hi-fi music quality which i didn't have at home. Looking at the tapes, taking them down, looking at the flip sides and putting them back. A few minutes later the salesman or shopkeeper came and asked if i was looking for anything specific. I replied that i didn't really know what to buy and that i was just browsing to see what was available and to enjoy the hi-fi sound. He smiled and said, "No problem. Take your time and enjoy the music." I thanked him and continued looking around. A few minutes later, a pretty sexy girl came in and went straight to the records section. She took out a bunch of records and asked the guy at the counter to play them one record at a time. My jaw dropped and my eyes went wide. A huge grin form across my face. I was thinking, "Yeah this is exactly the sound i was looking for." I was a little jaded with pop and rock songs and wanted something different, fresh and with less predictability. This kind of music was rarely heard on the local radio; there was only one 1 hour segment of jazz fusion per week on the main English channel. I nonchalantly continued browsing until the girl left. Then i approached the shopkeeper and inquired about the music she bought. He showed me a few records, all of them were Bob James albums. I went back the to cassette racks. There were less selection to choose from and i bought my first ever Bob James albums Sign Of The Times and Hands Down and they were my first ever jazz fusion albums. Since then i bought many of his albums and he became my number 1 favourite jazz musician and composer. It was a fortuituos event in my life (she was like heaven sent or something), a turning point where it widened my appreciation of music and introduced me to many other legendary jazz artists; like Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour and Hiroshima.

[@spetsnazrs9102]

Classico !

[@musicuniverse1962]

Monarch of his time great composer great keyboards great artist amazing musician!❤

[@igusherculoid]

Atemporal! B.H. presente!

[@eunicesantos2103]

👏👏👏👏amo

[@SrEquixs]

Bob James the best musician of United States

[@dariccook8054]

One of all time greats

[@valomojon]

Thanks Dad, he taught me this song, we have many things in common, he doesn't like reggueaton either, yes, I'm from Mexico

[@josedearimatea101]

Sempre escuto essa belíssima música. Das músicas que fazem bem a alma. Excelente!

[@juanjotm4821]

Oi José de Arimetéa dos Santos. Eu acho que sim! Eu escuto A musica do Bob James desde o ano de l980 Eu tinha 15 anos de edade. Gostei muito do jazz fucao. do Bob James. Voce se cuida. Eu moro na Cidade de Mexico. O portugués brasileiro e muito bonito.

[@anthonyshepard1407]

Bob James thank you for this beautiful Song. Sample used for De La Soul - Keepin The Faith and Warren G - Regulate. my favorite part is 3:01 when he sings 🙂😁

[@DEEJAYAIR]

This+i can't forget=REGULATER

[@36index73]

Quality music....appreciate the art form folks!

[@sergiopp5487]

I love it....good Music...i love it....from spain....very smooth for listen and relaxing.....lolol

[@VitoBb1978]

I found Bob before his Touchdown LP, which I have on LP and cassette 😉

[@翠華-r9d]

Timeslip to 80's smoothly❤

[@CarlosHenrique-zb8xy]

Sonzeraaaaaaaa! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇧🇷

[@equipesweetmelodiadjcharel4714]

SENSACIONAL.

[@adautojose697]

ouvir muito essa música na Rádio cidade 101.3 salvador BA.1981

[@darrylbogier4013]

This track was written by Heatwave's Rod Temperton.

[@martinfreeman-wooding8229]

UK funkateer

[@sastal]

Of MJ's Thriller fame and so many others!

[@fucker661]

Listen to love x love another great song he wrote

[@darrylbogier4013]

Not to mention Give me the night.

[@AEMoreira81]

Temperton also arranged the synthesizer on this track and 2 others on the EP.

[@franciscochavezsalmeron4173]

Bob, thank you very much, your music is amazing, God with you

[@dariccook8054]

BJ always rocked it best. From "Westchester Lady" and beyond

[@Dabachaleor1]

Regulatorssss. Mount up! Without Bob James, James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic... there would be no Hip Hop music

[@orlandeuce6567]

DON'T FORGET 'ZAPP & ROGER TROUTMAN'

[@ccarpenterfields]

@@orlandeuce6567 You beat me to it :) RIP Roger. My hero

[@carolmcquay1899]

Yep....what do they call this now? This is definitely not hip hop......Whoduni and them was GOOD. It's crazy now.

[@laquangriffith4969]

Preach!!!!!

[@Dinocaprice]

Exactly

[@mcskipper100]

Very apt song for the moment!!!

[@antoniogambardella785]

The Classic 🔥💣

[@AntonioC.M]

This is music.

[@ghostisone]

"It was a clear black night, a clear white moon Warren G was on the streets, tryin' to consume"

[@daniel-lopes74]

Great song!!! So cool!!!

[@nickwilson8853]

fantaaaaaatic :-) yo baby !!!

[@FastLaneLyfe]

This my jam.